One hundred bikes donated to kids

A total of 100 bikes were given away to children in need Thursday night at the Yuletide! Fest in Canton. The event is coordinated by ystark! The recipients of the bikes were young children enrolled in the pre-kindergarten program at Head Start at the Stark Community Action Agency.

The lines were divided among young boys and young girls. They were told gifts awaited. But they didn't know what.

Led into classrooms at the William Hunter Center, the eyes of the 4- and 5-year-olds rounded with surprise and jubilation as they saw the new bicycles.

Smiles also blossomed on the young faces. The boys flocked to the red-and-black bikes. The girls hustled to the pink-and-white ones. Each one included a helmet and teddy bear. It didn't take long for them to saddle the bikes and test them out.

"A new bike!" one young boy beamed.

The bike giveaway was part of the Yuletide! Fest coordinated by ystark! The young professionals group is affiliated with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Providing the Huffy bikes were the Timken Co., McMichael Chiropractic Natural Health and Wellness Center, Stark Young Professional Service Organization (SYPS), North Canton Jaycees and ystark! Also contributing items were Aultman Hospital and United Way of Greater Stark County.

The recipients were children from low-income families in the Stark Community Action Agency Head Start pre-kindergarten programs in Canton, Alliance and Massillon.

A total of 100 bikes were given away — 50 boys and 50 girls.

GIVING BACK

The event began a few years ago as the inspiration of Canton resident Paula Perkins.

"I want to give back to my community," she said. "That is my goal." What makes it special is "the excitement of a child getting a bike for Christmas ... something large like that (and) that surprise, that excitement, that happiness."

This is the third year ystark! has been involved. The group works to attract and retain young professionals in Stark County.

Some members of ystark! gathered recently to assemble the bicycles. The total ystark! membership is around 1,600.

Maria Goss, who heads the local Head Start program, said she was overjoyed the agency was selected for the event this year, which included dinner and games for children.

Danny Morefield, of Canton, said the bike was a wonderful gift for his daughter, Isabella Corns, 5.

"She's excited ... and now she can go home and ride it in the basement," he said.

"It's lucky to have an agency that would help out like this," Morefield said. "I'm very appreciative. This makes kids so happy."

Skylanae Clark, 5, of Canton, peddled her new bike in the hallway of the William Hunter Center. Asked what she liked most about the bike, Skylanae made it clear: "Cupcakes," she voiced, pointing to the pictures adorning the bike frame.

"She's been talking about getting a bike all year," said her father, Spencer Clark, grinning. "I told her, we're going to see what Santa is going to do."

Page 2 of 2 - Added her mother, Shawanna Clark, "Her eyes just blew up (when she saw the bike). She just ran into the room."